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_james_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Hate crime, Suicidal thoughts, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Minor: Cursing, Excrement, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, and Toxic friendship
readingthroughinfinity's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This is a spirited adult fantasy about three women trying to find ways of surviving and changing their fates in a world where blood determines social standing. With inventive world-building and a tournament-style plot, this story really takes off at the half way point (though that does mean that the first half is, unfortunately, slow-paced).
Sylah, Anoor, and Hassa are all interesting characters, but Sylah and Anoor frustrated me at the beginning with their complete lack of interest in anything around them (Sylah) and entitled, naïve outlook on life (Anoor). They did, however, develop and grow significantly throughout the book, making it satisfying to see how far they'd come in the closing chapters. The romance also drew me in, but I just wanted to see more of it! Hopefully we'll get that in book two, though.
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Classism
cozyscones's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Gore, Self harm, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Torture
Minor: Excrement and Vomit
bookishplantmom's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I thought the author did a good job of exploring difficult themes like depression, grief, addiction, suicidal thoughts and colonialism. While I would have liked more detailed world building, I thought the lore we did get was convincing. The story is set in a queer normative world with a great diversity of characters including some disabled and non binary folks.
Despite all of this the book wasn’t a home run for me. I didn’t quite connect with the characters and wasn’t immersed enough in the world to become invested in the story as it played out. I found one of the romances really off-putting and inappropriate. I honestly believe the story could have done without it and would have managed the emotional payoff anyway given the already existing relationship.
While I don’t anticipate continuing on with the series I would recommend it to folks who enjoy Arabian settings, mythology and thoughtful relationships.
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Suicide attempt
Minor: Sexual content
applejacksbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The Final Strife presents itself as a Middle East/African inspired world that combines a premises like The Hunger Games with Red Queen to create a terrible world on the precipice of change.
Anoor and Sylah are some of my favorite characters I've read this year and I love that they give each other hope and the ability to believe in themselves and the world they've lived in and can change it for the better.
I do think that the middle of this book lagged a little bit, but not enough to make me want to stop reading.
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Racial slurs, Blood, Grief, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Xenophobia
carochacord's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, and Blood
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Gore, Slavery, Torture, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, War, and Classism
Minor: Bullying, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Colonisation
zoda_pop's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is extremely dark, gritty, and compelling. A lush fantasy world set in an oppressive society, with a divulgence into class, family, addiction, grief, systemic oppression, and so much more.
The main characters journey is one filled with extremely dark nights and despair, but transforms into one of hope and utter resilience. From the personal growth, relationships with others, and the stand for justice; this story highlights the power of recovery, support systems, and belief in oneself.
The main character was born into the highest class of citizens but was switched at birth and raised in poverty and oppression by that class. In an effort to reach a position of power as was her predecessor's goal, she must battle her own inner demons, make alliances, and set out on her predestined journey in an unexpected way.
This book was original from the very beginning. There were intriguing representations of disability, gender, and sexuality that were thought-provoking; especially as a disabled queer person myself. The characterizations and representation were just one part of many that made this story so gripping. Every voice was unique, every motivation made sense by the end, and every relationship was incredibly well-crafted. The care woven into this story all the way from the lore, setting, and magic is abundantly clear and these pages are spilling with passion.
I can't recommend this book enough. It's insightful and extremely gritty while also being fun, funny, and loving at parts. The heroine went from being pretty unlikable to one of my favorite characters in the span of this book and it was extremely entertaining to read. I can't wait to see what is next for Saara El-Arifi!
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Drug abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent